I started my University of the Arts career in CMAC with application areas in Documentary Video and Advertising. I had always been into both concentrations, however I was unsure where I stood with either of them. CMAC made it possible for me to delve into both applications and search for my true calling. After all was said and done, I felt I was more suited to work in the Advertising field.

While the Advertising area of CMAC isn't a "major" it has opened my eyes to many new things, and has put me in a valuable position as a senior in the program. I believe that the curriculum is strong and incorporates all of the necessary STRATEGIC elements that are necessary to understand Advertising. Courses offered and completed throughout my four years in the program include: Intro to Advertising, Ad Concepts I & II, Ad Strategy & Development, and Intro to Public Relations. These have given me a well-rounded out look on how the industry operates, and vital insight on how to create good ads in every aspect. We learn how to create print, web, tv, radio, and alternative advertising one in the same. Most importantly we are taught how to compose fundamental documents like Press Releases and Creative Briefs. And finally, majors are encouraged (and required) to pursue and internship in the field. This has benefited me personally because it gave me real-world experience and showed me that I am capable of a successful future in Advertising!

Alot of people are unaware of what the Multimedia program is all about. Some think it's a hodge-podge of different Communication elements and graphic design balled up into one, but it's so much more than that. Here's a little perspective from inside the Multimedia Department of CMAC.

Multimedia is the culmination of exploring multiple mediums while trying to convey a new idea.

The Multimedia program has opened many eyes and allowed students to experience a multitude of mediums they may have never worked in or that they have never even heard of before. Classes are diverse and can include everything from motion graphic and movie title design, to web design, to hacking tickle me elmo's.

The faculty support is one of the most valuable aspects of the Multimedia Department. They don't teach you the tools, the teach you the skills on how to teach yourself. They teach you to learn. They encourage you to take whatever you want to learn and go at it head first. Break it, fix it, reverse engineer something, and figure out how to make it work better. This could be software, a website, a toy, or a design theory.

The program is so great because students are given the ability to really be able to sculpt their own curriculum. Some students may first come into the Multimedia Program dead set on learning the tools necessary to become a motion graphics designer, but as they continue learning, many of their interests begin to broaden. Multimedia allows students to explore new things. It doesn't matter what tasks they are taking on in or outside of school, because the faculty supports all students' passions. They encourage students to break the rules, challenge their ideas, and think for themselves. That is something that you don't see in many of the other majors. A lot of the majors seem to be "molding" students into an industry rather than tempting to create an entirely new industry. Other majors seem to prepare for an industry as it exists and Multimedia isn't worried about the "now" but rather about the future.

Where can you shoot a cutting edge documentary, create an advertising campaign from the ground up, write film and television screenplays, and anything else that has to deal with the creative side of the communications field? Well, the Communications Major in the School of Media and Communications (CMAC) at UArts gives you the opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Students pick two concentrations from a list that includes screenwriting,advertising,professional writing, documentary video...and other areas of study in the communications field. I came to UArts as a transfer student from a liberal arts college with a lackluster communications department. The Communications program at UArts exposed me to different career choices that I thought about, but now I actually want to persue. I'm combing my love for marketing and advertising with screenwriting. Where else can you do that?

Jessica Metzger, a Communication senior, was lucky enough to intern in the summer with the nationally renowned satirical website, The Onion News Network located in New York City.

She used her background in digital video production to track down and secure video footage to be integrated into daily scripts posted on the websites. Some of the topics that were satirized such as "cigarette smoking can cause homosexuality" called for her scouring the most obscure sources to find footage only to be told “it doesn’t work”.

Frustrating at times, but rewarding, Jess contributed to the daily dark humor.

A group show investigating how remnants transform our ideas, memories and activities. Whether we erase our memories ourselves, as in the case of Joel Barish in the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," or revisit the fragments of broken memories to form a mash-up, these actions transform our ideas of space and time. These transactions with the past are catalytic in understanding our surroundings and enrich the future.

Pre-College Saturday School is 10-weeks of college-level courses designed specifically for high school students in grades 9-12. Courses are offered in fine arts, crafts, design, media, and writing and communication in the spring and fall semesters.

High school seniors, current undergrads, and graduate students, please take advantage of the scholarship opportunities offered at UArts. It never hurts to apply for a little financial aid.

Also, if you have never attended college before, fill out a fafsa form at fafsa.gov for in school scholarships, grants, and financial aid. It was through this form that I was able to score a $10,000/year scholarship ("Promising Artist Award") as well as a $4,000/year university grant. UArts and especially the CMAC department heads are extremely generous when it comes to awarding aid -- so make sure not to miss out!

Okay, so maybe you're a high school senior. Maybe you go to community college. Maybe you just haven't decided what to do with you're life yet.

It doesn't matter who you are -- sooner or later, you will recognize the fact that you have the talent, potential, drive, and dream to be an artist. How do you get started? You need training. Where do you get trained? College.

The University of the Arts added the College of Media and Communication (CMAC) to its foundations back in 1996. There, they offer three majors: Communication, Multimedia, and Writing for Film and TV.

I'm a CMAC Writing for Film and TV student currently in her senior year. That's right, folks -- I made it. Come this May, I will have that BFA in hand and head on out to LA as quick as I can to get started in the film industry.

Although this road is the one less traveled, every bump, twist, and turn was worth it. For me, it was never a question of what I wanted to be when I grew up; it was a matter of how to get there.

The WFTV program at UArts is unique in that it took elements from top universities like NYU and UCLA to form a focused, intense, and highly informative curriculum taught by professors who have been successful in the film industry.

I'm proud to say that it is only here that you will walk away with two complete feature length film scripts, two TV spec scripts, and at least two original pilot episodes for a show that you create all throughout your college career.

From day one, you hit the ground running, pen in hand. As a freshman, you will jump right into the bare bones of what makes a story work in the Dramatic Structure class. Here, you'll create three-four outlines for original feature length script ideas.

Sophomore year, you'll create a television show and work among your peers as a collective writing staff. This will allow you to make a polished and professional original teleplay.

Junior year, get ready for the big time as you write your first feature length screenplay and also adapt both a fictional and non-fictional work of your choice into a feature film outline.

Senior year, you will write either an original or an adapted feature length script as well as creating your own television show, character bible, episode bible, and pilot episode.

CMAC offers you the opportunity to start building your portfolio long before students at other universities. You will leave with professional skills, professional writing samples, and the tools to get yourself started in the film industry.

As for me, I can honestly endorse the program with all my heart and look forward to the opportunity to tell you more! Please don't hesitate to post with questions, commentary, and your own experiences.